Design Wisconsin 2024

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Join Us in Milwaukee!

May 18, 2024 | 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Milwaukee Tool Headquarters
551 N 5th St., Milwaukee, WI 53203

Participants at the 2024 Design Wisconsin Event attend the opening remarks. — Design enthusiasts and industry leaders converged at Trek Headquarters for 2023 Design Wisconsin, showcasing a vibrant exchange of ideas and innovations.

Celebrate Wisconsin's Legacy of Industrial Design Innovation.

UW-Stout Industrial Design and School of Art & Design present the 3rd Annual Design Wisconsin event showcasing the impacts of Industrial Design on Wisconsin's Culture, Commerce, Community and Brand—Past, Present, and Future.

It is a little known secret that Wisconsin is a hub for product innovation, and it's our mission to showcase and celebrate prominent Wisconsin-based Industrial Design teams and their work. We hope this format will inspire participants and strengthen connections within our Industrial Design community, as well as cultivate new ones!

The event includes an open house of major Wisconsin Design/Manufacturer groups. In the past, these have included TREK, Milwaukee Tool, Kohler, Mercury Marine, Polaris, Fiskars, Oshkosh and many more. There will be a keynote address by Milwaukee Tool and potentially other visiting dignitaries. The event also features the Milwaukee Chapter of the Industrial Designers Society of America presenting 2024 Student Merit Awards and student work.

The show is a FREE event on May 18, 2024, from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. at Milwaukee Tool's downtown headquarters in Milwaukee, WI.

Register for Design Wisconsin!

Although this is a free event we request that attendees sign up ahead of time.

Event Schedule

9:00 a.m. | Design & Product Showcase Opens

9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. | Student Portfolio Reviews (Registration Required)

1:00 p.m. | Welcoming Remarks: UW-Stout Industrial Design Department & Milwaukee Tool

1:30 p.m. | Design Talks (Speakers TBD)

5:00 p.m. | The End!

Featured Speakers

Tim Albrecht, Milwaukee® Tool Group President - Hand Tools, Storage, PPE & Channel Marketing

Tim began his career at Milwaukee@ in 2007, when he accepted a Western Regional Sales position for the newly acquired Stiletto Tools business based in Winton, California. Later that year, Tim moved to Wisconsin to begin his first marketing role, where he managed Channel, Brand, and Product Marketing for Stiletto Tools. As the country moved into a recessionary period in 2008, the market for premium titanium hammers became extremely challenging. It was at that time that Tim further researched hand tools and involved a small project team to rally around disrupting a stagnant market and delivering solutions to our core users. This project led to launching the first eight (8) Milwaukee@ branded hand tools in 2010. Over the years, this small start-up category within Milwaukee@ has become larger and more complex. It now includes Hand Tools, Storage, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), with thousands of innovative products. Hundreds of dedicated employees support this business unit globally, including manufacturing sites in the USA, PRC, and Vietnam.

Wendy Gavinski, Founder & CEO - DSG Outerwear

Wendy Gavinski is the visionary founder and CEO of DSG Outerwear, a company she launched in 2010 out of a personal need for women-specific outerwear in snowmobiling and skiing. Her frustration with the limited and non-feminine options available led to the creation of DSG Outerwear, which quickly resonated with the female audience upon its debut. Wendy's entrepreneurial spirit drove the company's expansion into a comprehensive outerwear line by 2011, featuring unique designs with feminine fits and quality materials. Under her leadership, DSG secured significant distribution deals, including with Yamaha Motor Corp. and Western Power Sports. The brand diversified into hunting apparel, influenced by the successful advocacy for the Blaze Pink Bill, and later ventured into fishing and heated apparel lines. Wendy's commitment to functional, fashionable, and inclusive women's outerwear has solidified DSG Outerwear's position in the market, making it a pioneering force in women's outdoor apparel.

Special Offers for Design Wisconsin Attendees

Harley Davidson Museum

On Sunday, May 19, the Harley-Davidson Museum is pleased to offer the attendees of Design Wisconsin a reduced general admission rates. Anyone showing Design Wisconsin event credentials will pay only $16 per person for adults or $12 per person for students with a valid student ID. One reduced admission ticket per credential badge.

The H-D Museum’s hours of operation are 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Guests should plan some extra time to enjoy MOTOR Bar & Restaurant (open 11:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.) and a visit to our two retail shops on campus!

Offer not valid without proper credentials. Tickets are valid for use on Sunday, May 19, 2024. Not valid for online or prior purchases.

Milwaukee Art Museum

The Milwaukee Art Museum is pleased to offer Design Wisconsin participants $16 tickets. Attendees are required to present any form of event affiliation—such as badge and registration—at the admissions desk to receive a discount on their ticket purchase. Kids 12 and under also get in free! Be sure to check out the Family Sunday event while there.

Participating Organizations

The real stars of the show will be the Wisconsin-based Industrial Design teams in attendance to display their works and talk shop! Check out the companies who have previously displayed their latest and greatest works in a mini-tradeshow format.